Clockwise from top left: Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg in Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 classic Breathless, Haussmann-style apartments, iconic designer Coco Chanel, and the Louvre Pyramid.
Evidenced by everything from the Gothic grandeur of Notre-Dame to the playful spirit of Rococo and the bespoke intricacies of haute couture, French design is a vast arena that simply can’t be placed in a nutshell. Even the effortless chic style of French people elicits the elusive je ne sais quoi. On full display in the films of Nouvelle Vague auteur Jean-Luc Godard, that seemingly innate cool factor extends beyond French people — it’s an attitude, an indefinable vibe that can be applied to art, fashion, decor, almost anything imaginable.
Although there are multitudes in between, a compendium of French design might contrast the ornate, gilded flourishes of the Baroque and Rococo movements of the 1700s with the streamlined, geometric elegance of Art Nouveau and Art Deco in the 1900s. That compendium might also credit controversial urban planner Baron Haussmann with “transforming” Paris into a modern city distinguished by grand boulevards, stately apartment buildings and lush gardens.
Icons of Parisian aesthetics, the buildings Haussmann designed in the mid-19th century were intentionally uniform — all built from cream-colored limestone and topped with mansard roofs — as part of plan to “unify” the evolving City of Lights. But France is also a grand champion of mixing styles and juxtaposing old and new. Beaux-Arts architecture — an 1830s-era mashup that put a modern spin on Neoclassical and Baroque styles — is one famous example. The ultra-modern glass pyramid I. M. Pei plopped amid the classical confines of the Louvre courtyard is another.
Fittingly, the distinctive French brands represented by Alexander Marchant — Rémy Garnier, Bronzes de France, THG Paris, and the enigmatic niche line Serie Rare — uphold rich and historic traditions while also embracing innovation and stylistic evolution.
The company behind the cremone bolt, Rémy Garnier is known for both historic preservation and contemporary pieces like the new Vanities lock.
Rémy Garnier
Entrepreneurial metalworker Rémy Garnier established his namesake workshop on Paris’ left bank in 1832, focusing chiefly on locks and door hardware. Credited as the inventor of the cremone bolt — a ubiquitous locking mechanism for windows and doors — Garnier hit an early career milestone when he got tapped to restore the locks of Paris’ city hall after the 1871 Commune Fire. That high-profile project positioned Garnier neatly with Baron Haussmann’s revitalization efforts and the construction of his quintessentially Parisian apartment buildings — which all called for cremone bolts. Nearly two centuries since its inception, Rémy Garnier now boasts a catalog comprising 7,000 unique bronze and brass designs — sleek Art Deco levers and ornate Louis XIV knobs among them. Anchored by an immense Paris workshop on Boulevard de la Bastille and a bronze foundry in Touraine, the company is a go-to for historic preservation projects and has restored locks, cremones and light fixtures at the Louvre, Versailles, the Élysée Palace, the Swiss Embassy and the Paris Opera, among many other landmarks and monuments. As a result, Rémy Garnier has earned the designation of Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, which recognizes significant contributions to national heritage through craftsmanship. While the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements remain touchstones, Rémy Garnier marches onward with forward-thinking offerings that encompass both custom orders and new creations such as Vanities — a monumental lock inspired by biker culture and the fleeting nature of life itself.
Bronzes de France hardware runs the gamut from Art Deco to ornate, historical designs.
Bronzes de France
Baguès Paris lighting installed at Hôtel Château Frontenac.
A leader in the realm of artistic bronze hardware since 1852, Bronzes de France holds a vast collection of designs that spans from Louis XVI to Art Nouveau and contemporary styles. A testament to its authenticity and impeccable craftsmanship, the company was authorized by the French government in the 19th century to preserve and reproduce historic door and cabinet hardware installed in the chateaus and palaces of the former Kingdom of France. Today, those wide-ranging styles comprise Bronzes de France’s encyclopedic collection La Quincaillerie Centrale. Fittingly, these exquisite bronze pieces are created using hand-chasing techniques typically used for fine jewelry. But historic refinery is but one aspect of Bronzes de France, which employs cutting-edge technology in the creation of new designs and custom pieces in a busy atelier in Normandy. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the company’s work can be found in some of the most luxurious hotels in Paris, including the Crillon, Le Meurice, and Georges V. Elegantly illuminating the offerings of Bronzes de France, its sister company Baguès Paris designs and manufactures a wide assortment of bronze light fixtures. Arguably known best for their show-stopping crystal chandeliers, Baguès also designs and manufactures sconces, lamps and mirrors that run the gamut from traditional to modern and even whimsical. The revered French siblings are also among the select companies who have earned Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant status.
From left: THG Paris takes bathroom fittings to new heights with Beyond Crystal, Hirondelles (a collaboration with Lalique) and O Collection.
THG Paris
Although it’s the youngest in the bunch, THG Paris quickly captured the attention of the design world by taking bathroom fittings and accessories to unexpected new heights. Founded in 1956 by the trio of André Tétard, Julien Haudiquez and Alexandre Grisoni, THG prides itself on “exceptional pieces” that incorporate crystal, marble, porcelain, onyx, optical glass and semi-precious stones. Thanks in part to collaborations with buzz-worthy designers and iconic brands, the company’s collections are refreshingly diverse. Among the many shining examples, Beyond Crystal (designed by Rémi Tessier in collaboration with Baccarat), Dahlia (a Lalique collaboration based on a poetic design from 1931) and Nihal (designed by Xavier Cartron in collaboration with the French Limoges porcelain factory Haviland) are some of the most individualistic bathroom taps one could dream up. Likened to the “haute couture of bathroom fittings,” THG goes far beyond splashy taps to offer showers, basins, bidet mixers, tubs and whirlpools along with sleek kitchen fixtures. An environmentally conscious operation that handles every step of the manufacturing process (“from design and machining through to the foundry”), THG is also a member of the elite Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant family.
From left: the catalog for the V & A’s “British Design” exhibition, the iconic K6 telephone box, and the 1951 Festival of Britain poster. Anarchy in the UK T-shirt by Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren, 1977-8, worn and altered by Johnny Rotten.
Nine years ago, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum opened “British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age” — an exhibition comprising more than 300 objects exploring three key themes: the tension between tradition and modernity; the subversive impulse in British culture; and Britain’s leadership in design innovation and creativity.
Sir Terrence Conrad photographed in his Cone Chair by Ray William.
In a promotional video for the exhibition, Edward Barber (of the London-based industrial design studio Barber Osgerby) made a compelling point: “It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, you’ll find a British designer working there, whether it’s in architecture, industrial design, fashion design or graphics, we are everywhere.” Hailed by the museum as “one of the most exciting creative practitioners working in the UK today,” London Design Medal winner Thomas Heatherwick echoed Barber’s sentiments: “When I think of British design, I find that somehow one is talking about people from all over the world who have chosen Britain to base themselves. A lot of modern history has been rooted in what has come from the United Kingdom.”
Undoubtedly due to this global network of British designers, their wide-ranging influences and the diversity of the UK, it’s futile to try to categorize or summarize British design. It can be regal or rebellious, minimalist or maximalist, eccentric or restrained. Ungovernable stylistic inclinations aside, Brits are also behind numerous innovations and inventions, including the tin can, the chocolate bar, the toothbrush, the thermos, the kaleidoscope, the bagless vacuum cleaner and the ATM — not to mention the popularization of the miniskirt (courtesy of swinging ’60s designer Mary Quant) and punk culture (thanks to the Sex Pistols, Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren, et al.). On the home furnishings front, Sir Terrence Conran is credited with “revolutionizing retail and decor” in the 1960s with Habitat — a London-born chain that brought modern design to the masses and introduced a build-it-yourself format later adopted by IKEA.
Fittingly, the British brands represented by Alexander Marchant champion myriad styles and points of view. Some uphold age-old traditions, others buck tradition altogether — but all maintain a razor-sharp focus on quality, craftsmanship and innovation.
From left: Armac Martin’s MIX collection, and decorative grilles installed in cabinets in our Brentwood showroom in Austin.
Armac Martin
Launched by brass founder Harold McGrail in 1929, Armac Martin celebrates the timeless elegance of brass and takes heritage and craftsmanship seriously. Based in Birmingham, the fourth-generation family business offers more than 30 distinct collections of cabinet hardware that run the gamut from industrial (the customizable MIX series is beloved for its tactile, diamond-knurled knobs and pulls) to ornate (Aberdovey takes stylistic cues from seashells). Adding geometric flair to cabinets, doors, vents, panels and more, Armac Martin’s decorative brass grilles are an undeniable fan favorite that are assembled by hand and available in nine unique finishes.
From left: Buster + Punch hardware, a dog collar with solid brass detailing, and “Heavy Metal” brass pendant lights.
Buster + Punch
The brainchild of architect and industrial designer Massimo Buster Minale, Buster + Punch boasts unusual roots in a motorcycle garage in East London. Drawing inspiration from “London’s fashion, music and sub-culture scenes,” the company strives to “transform everyday functional fittings into extraordinary home details” and succeeds with flying colors. In addition to solid-metal door and cabinet hardware (the multicolored “burnt steel” finish is truly something to behold), the edgy lifestyle brand creates industrial-chic pendant lights outfitted with covetable bulbs, diamond-knurled brass candle holders, dog collars, jewelry, metal coffee tables and home bars fit for a rockstar.
Croft cabinet knobs, pulls and catches in an assortment of finishes.
Croft
Built by five generations of a family with 150 years of manufacturing history between them, West Midlands-based manufacturer Croft isn’t afraid to use the word “perfection.” In fact, it’s what they call their “default standard.” Since opening its modern chapter in 1972, the company has earned a reputation for impeccable brass and bronze door, cabinet and window hardware as well as bespoke furnishings for royal palaces, historic castles, stately museums and luxury hotels. Encompassing an array of styles (from Art Deco to contemporary), Croft fittings can be personalized in an assortment of signature finishes and patinas including matte black bronze, marbled brass, pearl nickel and polished chrome.
From left: Frank Allart’s new Rope Knurl hardware range, and an array of cabinet knob and plate combinations.
Frank Allart
Established by George Allart in 1914, Frank Allart (exclusive to Alexander Marchant in Central Texas) made a name for itself in WWI-era Birmingham by manufacturing brass fittings for the architectural, marine and railway trades. Proud inventor of the 5640 flush bolt that’s still in heavy rotation in the door hardware industry, Frank Allart now designs and manufactures a comprehensive selection of residential hardware (including more than 100 door lever and knob designs) available in 30 metal finishes and patinas. Last year, the century-old company introduced Allart Precision, a new range of door, cabinet and window hardware distinguished by engineered knurled patterns and precision cuts.
Examples of Ged Kennett’s Handmade and Precious Hardstone collections, including round knobs, amethyst pulls, and semicircle handles.
Ged Kennett
Based on a quaint, country estate in Southwest England, craftsman Ged Kennett got his start in hand-forged ironwork for residential projects but found his calling in the realm of bespoke cabinet hardware. Formed in 1997, his niche operation is filled with “beautiful old machinery” and proprietary tools used to create stainless steel and brass handles adorned with distinctive textures. Inspired by a trip to India and produced in collaboration with Jodhpur-based designer Gajendra Shanane, Ged Kennet’s Precious Hardstone Collection places amethyst, banded jasper, bloodstone, fossilized agate, green aventurine, lapis lazuli and other semi-precious stones in an exquisite yet functional context likened to “jewelry for furniture.”
Clockwise from top left: Kast’s compact Elm Mini in Ember, the Kast color range, Rena basin in Ivory, and Sienna double basin in Forest.
Kast
You might not know how desperately you need a colorful concrete washbasin until you get familiar with Kast, the design-forward outfit Swiss designer Tim Bayes formed in 2013. Situated on the edge of Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame, the company admittedly focuses “relentlessly on one thing” — crafting concrete sinks in a rich and earthy rainbow of 28 colors (storm, mint, peach, brick, golden and duck egg among them). While concrete (or “liquid stone”) is the sole medium of choice, Kast’s shapes, sizes and styles encompass everything from the compact Nilo to the twin Flor Double and the texturally patterned options of the Kast Canvas Collection.
From left: a grouping of seven Original BTC Fin pendants made from bone china, Titan pendants in putty grey, and Pillar wall lights.
Original BTC
Hailed as “one of the first designers to capture the appeal of industrial styling,” Peter Bowles founded Oxfordshire-based Original BTC in 1990 with a goal to produce “lights that you are instantly at home with.” In addition to running six factories — including facilities for ceramics, glass and metal — the family-run company serves as an umbrella over the Davey Lighting and Beadlight brands. While industrial sensibilities are a common thread (the aluminum Titan pendants are to die for), some Original BTC designs skew elegant and even delicate — especially those rendered in translucent bone china (a signature material). Another hallmark described as “one of Original BTC’s best-loved design features” is the use of braided cotton flex in lieu of unsightly plastic cords.
From left: three fixtures from Samuel Heath’s One Hundred Collection, and their Landmark Industrial tap at the 2019 WestEdge Design Fair.
Samuel Heath
With an astounding 200-year history, Samuel Heath (exclusive to Alexander Marchant in Central Texas) is both an authority and a pioneer in the realm of British design. Established as a traditional Birmingham brass founder in 1920, the company initially produced bed frames, fireplace accessories and giftware but is now known for bathroom fixtures and architectural hardware that deliver “perfect function and beautiful form.” Complementing collections that take design cues from Art Deco, industrialism, “Nordic chic,” the Bauhaus movement, “quintessentially English” neoclassical styles and plenty in between, Samuel Heath’s distinct One Hundred Collection showcases the company’s rich heritage with taps, showers, tub fillers and accessories distinguished by mirror-polished black levers, knurled escutcheon detailing and even translucent crystal glass.
From left: Turnstyle’s Button Stitched Loop Strap handles, custom leather and brass Scroll T Bars, and Shagreen Recess Amalfine door pulls.
Turnstyle Designs
Formed by Steven Roberts and based in “glorious North Devon,” Turnstyle Designs arrived on the scene in 1992 with the amusing slogan “Bored of Brass.” Over the course of nearly three decades, the company has proven its nonconformist point of view by creating innovative door and cabinet hardware from perspex, concrete, hand-stitched leather, dyed marble and the proprietary composite Alupewt. Awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2018, Turnstyle offers more than a dozen unique collections ranging from the geometric Labyrinth (a collaboration with London-based Winch Design) to the organically inspired Bamboo.
Italian marble company Davani made a splash with its 2020 debut collection “Purity.”
Stone has been one of the building blocks of life on Earth since the dawn of humanity. While our early human ancestors sheltered in caves and fashioned tools and weapons by chipping rocks together, ancient civilizations began using it as a building material — for anything from the engraved stone monoliths of the so-called “world’s oldest temple” in Turkey (c. 10,000 BC) to the Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt (c. 2,650 BC). Fast-forward a few thousand years and Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius was shaking things up as an ancient influencer in the realm of natural stone. Importantly, his groundbreaking proposal that all buildings should have firmitas, utilitas and venustas (strength, utility and beauty) extended far beyond the 1st century BC to influence Roman architecture at large — and in turn, myriad aspects of the built environment as we know it today.
As the world’s most enduring and history-rich building material, natural stone — from marble and travertine to granite to limestone — is a rightful favorite among architects, builders, interior designers and homeowners alike. Beyond its expansive history and remarkable lifespan, natural stone is incredibly versatile and largely sustainable. Technological advances — including computerized cutting and polishing techniques — have made the quarrying and processing of natural stone easier, faster and more efficient. In addition to unlocking exciting new possibilities for stone surfaces, fixtures and furniture, those innovations have helped drive costs down over the decades. And since it’s a product of the Earth — at times millions of years in the making — it simply can’t be replicated in a factory or laboratory. Those organic nuances only add to the beauty of natural stone, and make it an ideal fit for architectural and design projects striving to be truly one-of-a-kind.
As a means to illustrate the wealth of ways natural stone factors into contemporary design, we’ve highlighted seven vital members of the Alexander Marchant family of brands: Claybrook, Davani, Inbani, Kreoo, Salvatori, Stone Forest and Waterworks.
Claybrook’s “Echo” marble basin.
Claybrook
Dedicated to “reinventing classic British bathroom design for the 21st century,” Claybrook boasts a unique history within the stone industry. Named in tribute to a family home built by the proprietor’s great-grandmother, the British-owned, Hong Kong-based company specializes in “combining the finest materials with an innovative approach to design” while maintaining a “truly British understanding of quality and craftsmanship.”
This marriage of sensibilities takes shape in elegant stone tile, mosaics and bath fixtures — from contemporary tubs and basins to vanities and accessories — all of which are hand-crafted and hand-polished.
Thanks to their refined simplicity, Claybrook’s natural stone basins effortlessly showcase the striations of marble varieties such as Calacatta Borghini, Bianco Carrara and Lightning Grey. Intriguingly, each versatile design is imbued with a bit of personality: the rounded square “Shadow” is “redefining luxury,” the rectangular “Touch” is a “contemporary classic” and the oval “Soho” is “small but perfectly formed.”
From left:the building blocks of Clayrbook’s “Glimmer” mosaic tile collection; Claybrook marble basins; a Claybrook basin and stone tile from the “Urban” collection.
Admirably, Claybrook also champions eco-friendly materials and production practices. Exemplifying its commitment to the environment, the company developed MarbleForm as a means to “reimagine the possibilities of stonecraft.” Composed of upcycled marble dust salvaged from the factory floor, the patented material is extremely durable and resistant to stains and scratches.
Quickly becoming one of its greatest hits, Claybrook’s wall-hung basin collection — which comprises four MarbleForm designs available in both natural and colorful hues — picked up several accolades last year, including Product of the Year at the Decorative Plumbing + Hardware Association Awards.
Carved lines distinguish the fixtures of Davani’s “Meridian” collection.
Davani
Co-founded by Anthony Davani and his wife Julia in 2014, the Davani Group found its footing as the U.S. distributor for the long-running Italian manufacturer Kreoo. Six years after its formation, the Davani Group (which remains dedicated to commissions and custom projects) broadened its scope via Davani — a brand that sources natural stone from more than 65 countries and fabricates exclusively in Italy. Since its 2020 launch, Davani has channeled its fascination with natural stone into timeless furniture and capsule collections created in collaboration with independent designers. While marble “in a multitude of colors” is at the forefront, Davani also works with travertine, onyx, quartzite and semi-precious stones along with ancient olive wood, petrified wood and hand-forged bronze.
“I formed Davani specifically because I saw a lot of well-known brands bringing in the same designers — and then they all start doing the same things,” Anthony Davani told Rome-based magazine Italics in 2021. Countering that industry trend, he enlisted emerging and lesser-known designers to bring his unique vision to life.
Davani’s “Vitality” dining table designed by Annysa LaMantia.
Befitting the company’s stylistic mission of “capturing the past, imagining the future and punctuating the present,” Davani’s debut collection “Purity” boldly updates the old-world elegance of travertine — a hallmark of Italian design since the Roman Empire. Designed in collaboration with Milan-based architectural designer Melanie Murata, the collection draws visual inspiration from rippling water and comprises a suite of tables — including what’s billed as “the first truly extendable luxury stone dining table.” Sparked by the return to home life ushered in by the pandemic, the 10-seat dining table is also available in a conference table version outfitted with recessed floor lighting and discreet pop-up and wireless charging for an array of devices.
Since the launch of “Purity,” Davani has continued releasing capsule collections — including “Lamé” (a series of puzzle-like nesting tables designed by New York-based INC Architecture & Design) and “Vitality” (a debut from designer Annysa LaMantia inspired by “the energy and artistry found in the veining that traverses natural stone”).
Designed by Norm Architects, Inbani’s “Grate” collection explores the interplay between light and shadow.
Inbani
Founded in 2004 and based in the Spanish port of Alicante, Inbani transforms natural stone into elegant bathroom fixtures designed to “contribute to greater personal well-being.”
Known for an aesthetic that’s simultaneously minimalist and luxurious, Inbani distributes to more than 40 countries around the world and maintains a strong presence at international design fairs including ISH Frankfurt and Salone del Mobile Milan.
In addition to working with a talented in-house design team, Inbani collaborates with a curated assortment of global designers on signature collections — several of which have garnered notable awards.
In 2015, the company took home a prestigious Red Dot award for Design Innovation for “Fluent” — a graphic, linear collection created in collaboration with Israeli-born designer, filmmaker and photographer Arik Levy.
From left: Inbani’s “Origin” collection (designed by Seung-Yong Song) and “Ease” collection (designed by Note).
Two years later, Inbani earned a Design Plus award for “Origin” — for which Korean designer Seung-Yong Song fused Asian and European sensibilities into a sleek suite of bathroom fixtures.
More recently, the Spanish stone enthusiasts have been making waves with bathroom — and even bedroom — furniture collections such as “Grate” (a collaboration with Copenhagen-based Norm Architects); “Heritage” (French designer Patrick Norguet’s contemporary take on Greek columns and other hallmarks of antiquity); and “Ease” (Stockholm-based Note design studio’s creative ode to joy and relaxation).
Kreoo’s luxurious “Kora” tub is available in eight distinctive marble finishes including Artik Green.
Kreoo
Launched in 2010 under the umbrella of the pioneering Italian company Decomarmi — which has been celebrating “the art and craft of marble since 1963” — Kreoo takes its name from the Greek word kraino (to create). Though its moniker nods to the classical statues of Ancient Greece, Kreoo takes a decidedly contemporary approach to designing marble coverings, bathroom fixtures, tables, chairs and lighting.
In collaboration with an array of renowned designers — including Christophe Pillet, Enzo Berti, Marco Piva, Matteo Nunziati, Alberto Apostoli and Sebastiano Zilio — Kreoo takes marble to exciting new heights while showcasing the material’s unpredictable characteristics.
From left: Kreoo’s “Tao” washbasins and stacked-stone “Keir” seating collection.
Evidence of Kreoo’s unique take on marble — to the tune of more than 30 exquisite varieties — can be seen in designer Enzo Berti’s sculptural “Kora” and “Kalypso” bathtubs; Marco Piva’s bold, cylindrical “Tao” freestanding washbasins; Berti’s zen-like “Keir” collection of stacked stone seating and coffee tables; and the gorgeous “Ducale” suite of coverings, which brings Murano glass, brass and semi-precious stones to the luxurious marble mix.
Salvatori’s eco-friendly “Patchwork” textured stone surface designed by Piero Lissoni.
Salvatori
Established in 1940s-era Tuscany as a small marble business, Salvatori is now an undisputed icon in the realm of natural stone surfaces, bathroom fixtures, furniture, accessories and lighting. Helmed by third-generation family members Gabriele Salvatori and his brother Guido, the Italian company proudly maintains “a deep-rooted passion and respect for the inherent beauty of natural stone and its defining characteristic: that no two pieces can ever be identical, meaning that every single product has its own unique history.”
Masters of fusing old-world craftsmanship and forward-thinking design practices, Salvatori has been an industry innovator from the get-go, spanning from the 1950 invention of the beautifully textured split-face finish spaccatello to the 2010 creation of the recycled stone composite Lithoverde and points beyond.
Although the company boasts a long history of collaborating with Italian and international designers — Piero Lissoni, Elisa Ossino, John Pawson and Yabu Pushelberg among them — its creative output is consistently on-brand and often instantly recognizable as Salvatori. One key reason for that design continuity is a steadfast approach based on “clean lines and pared-back forms that showcase the material itself.”
Salvatori’s timeless “Love Me, Love Me Not” dining table designed by Michael Anastassiades.
Shining examples of these partnerships including such covetable marble furnishings as London-based designer Michael Anastassiades’ “Love Me, Love Me Not” dining table, Toronto/New York-based agency Yabu Pushelberg’s “Anima” bathtub and Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s “Isbiburo” washbasin.
Furniture aside, Salvatori is a trusted source for exquisite stone surfaces, which grace the floors and walls of many prestigious addresses, including the Armani Hotel in Milan, the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami, Bergdorf Goodman in New York City and the Louis Vuitton boutique in Tokyo.
Stone Forest’s organic “Papillon” bathtub is cut from a solid block of stone.
Stone Forest
Globetrotter and outdoor enthusiast Michael Zimber founded Santa Fe-based Stone Forest in 1989 — amusingly at the request of his mother. Addressing his decade-long gig working as a climbing and river guide, she told him to “get a real job.”
Zimber recalls that mom-sparked lightbulb moment well: “If I could somehow bring what I loved about being in the wilderness into people’s homes and gardens,” he thought, “it might turn into a rewarding new direction.”
Now 34 years later, Stone Forest is billed as “a group of artisans and designers focused on bringing the elegant simplicity of natural materials into the bath and garden.” Rightfully, the company has earned an enthusiastic following with its covetable sinks, bathtubs, fountains and other creations that take cues from “nature’s blueprint” and emphasize “the quiet beauty of stone.”
Stone Forest’s “Infinity” pedestal sink in a space designed by Castle Homes in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Regardless of its destination in the home, these fixtures are all sculpted from single blocks of stone with hammers, chisels, small diamond saws and hand-held polishing tools. Whether working with granite, marble, limestone, travertine, sandstone or onyx, Stone Forest champions these artisanal techniques over machining — celebrating the “individual fingerprints of nature, such as anomalies in the form of areas of enhanced coloration and unusual veining and swirls of color in the stone.”
In addition to standalone fixtures, Stone Forest has developed a customizable collection dubbed “Elemental.” Beloved for its adaptable nature, “Elemental” allows for seemingly endless possibilities based around the key components of stone sinks, wood drawers, steel or wood shelving, and brass legs with knurled fittings. Befitting vanities and storage solutions alike, “Elemental” components can be configured to complement contemporary, transitional or minimal decor.
Waterworks’ marble “Beekman” washstand.
Waterworks
Cofounded by Barbara and Robert Sallick in 1978, Connecticut-based Waterworks has evolved from a luxury bath and kitchen design company into a globally recognized lifestyle brand. Proof of the company’s wide-reaching influence can be seen everywhere from fixtures in high-end hotels around the world to Barbara Sallick’s beautifully photographed Rizzoli coffee table books The Perfect Bath (2016), The Perfect Kitchen (2020) and The Ultimate Bath (2022).
Although arguably known best for luxury plumbing fixtures inspired by historical and industrial styles — “Henry,” “Highgate,” “Ludlow” and “R.W. Atlas” among them — Waterworks also sources Tuscan marble and other natural stone for the production of tile, mosaics, sinks and slabs.
Waterworks’ “R.W. Atlas” washstand outfitted with a marble slab basin.
Shining examples of this corner of the Waterworks universe can be seen in the elegant marble slabs that top stylish vanities and the sleek washstands that enhance many of the company’s signature collections.
Claybrook’s Ellipse bath and basin with tapered rims.
A relative newcomer to our family of brands, Claybrook is a British-owned, Hong Kong-based company with a rich history in the stone industry. Originally dubbed “Stone Experts” and now named in honor of a family home built by the proprietor’s great-grandmother, the company specializes in “combining the finest materials with an innovative approach to design” while maintaining a “truly British understanding of quality and craftsmanship.” This marriage of sensibilities takes shape in elegant stone tile, mosaics and luxury bathroom fixtures — from contemporary tubs and basins to vanities and accessories — all of which are hand-crafted and hand-polished.
Mosaic tile from Claybrook’s Glimmer, Art Deco and Texture collections.
Admirably, the company champions sustainability and favors eco-friendly materials and production practices. Exemplifying their commitment to the environment, the company developed MarbleForm as a means to “reimagine the possibilities of stonecraft.” Composed of upcycled marble dust (smartly salvaged from the floor of their mosaic factory), top-quality Japanese resin and pigment, the patented material is incredibly durable and remarkably resistant to stains and scratches.
Claybrook’s Luna single vanity in Blush Terrazzo MarbleForm.
Over the last decade, the company has found considerable success in the realm of high-end hospitality — thanks in part to partnerships with major players such as the Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental hotel groups. Although arguably better known in Europe and Asia, the brand is set for some stateside buzz due to a two-year-old program that placed it in select U.S. locations — including Alexander Marchant, which is one of only two Texas showrooms representing Claybrook.
Claybrook’s Orbit bath (left), Serenity bath and Quadro freestanding basins.
